Back pain has become an extraordinary frequent problem, with 1 in 4 adults experiencing it (happening right now as you read this article) and 90% of people having back pain at least once in their life. A publication in The Lancet, the world’s oldest, most prestigious, and best known for general medical journals, revealed the extent of the problem: back pain is the leading cause of disability around the world. In the United States alone it costs $635 billion a year in medical bills and loss of productivity.
Much of the blame has fallen on our increasing desk-bound lifestyles and growing lifespans, which means more years of wear and tear on our spines. There is evidence that the rise of office culture and too much time spent on computers, tablets, and to a certain point cell phones plays a part. Several studies have found a link between spending more time sitting and increased reports of lower back pain. Slumping in front of computer screens puts pressure on the muscles, ligaments, and disks that support the spine, slowly deactivating muscles that promote good posture.
Backache can also be a product of accidents, sports injuries, or a congenital disorder.
Obesity and smoking also contributes to the problem. A 2015 study published in the American Journey of Epidemiology assessed data from 95 high-quality studies and concluded that the risk of lower back pain was directly related to increases in BMI (body mass index).
Smoking probably puts people at higher risk of lower back pain because it is associated with the clogging of arteries, which can damage the blood vessels that supply the spine, leading to muscle and bone degeneration.
Many people with low-back pain have a strong fear of moving. Exercise designed to strengthen the lower back might help ease pain. Regular walking helps as well. Not smoking, a healthy diet, and the intake of MSM will also contribute to a quicker recovery. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a micronutrient well tolerated for arthritis, back pain, and a number of other conditions related to inflammation, physical function, and performance.
Renzo J. Bustamante-Wendorff, B.S., M.S.
Research & Development
References: New Scientist, August 31 – September 6, 2019
